Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda officers who are community gardaí; the percentage of the force that are community gardaí; if he will establish a promotional path for community gardaí within An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6156/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Policing in local communities, either rural or urban, is a matter for all Gardaí and not just those assigned to the roles of community policing. It is worth noting, however, that the number of Gardaí exclusively assigned to community policing has increased considerably in recent times. The figures available at the end of 2009 show that there are 1,058 members of the Garda Síochána specifically assigned to community policing, out of a total attested strength of 14,547. By comparison, at the end of 2007, 630 members were assigned to community policing, and the present number represents an increase of almost 68% on that figure. Personnel attached to Community Policing are eligible to go forward for promotion through a competitive process which is regulated by the terms of the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations (Statutory Instrument no 485 of 2006). There is no provision for a special promotion system for Community Gardaí.